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BETWEEN RACES * «c« ons CHURCHILL DOWNS, Louisville, Ky., May 1. — On the eve of the seventy-ninth running of the Kentucky Derby, Lawrence Wetherby, Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, was kind enough to speak out on turf topics in Kentucky in particular, and, by inference, in the nation in general, by granting this writer an interview in the historic State House at Frankfort. Governor Wetherby is young, and undoubtedly has the confidence of the people of the State of Kentucky, for he is serving his fifth year as governor. "There are no real differences between the thoroughbred industry and the State of Kentucky," says Wethery, "and from the governments point of view, we regard the industry as an asset, as fairly as possible in every way, including taxwise. tofvery citizen and every industry at the same time has an obligation to support the cost of its government. There is no reason why a common sense approach cannot lead to a fair and equable tax. In Kentucky, there was no tax on pari-mutuel wagering until 1948. Our state has anti-gambling statutes, but the courts have held that pari-mutuel wagering is not gambling. Since 1948, we have had a three per cent tax at Churchill Downs and Dade Park, none at Keeneland, which operates non-profit. I do believe that the tax will be extended to Keeneland, because the tax is not upon the non-profit corporation, but upon the bettor. And as I pointed out, the citizen has an obligation to bear a fair share of the cost of government, and few would argue the fairness of a three per cent tax. AAA "Here in Kentucky, racing is a heritage, and the overwhelming majority of our population see no moral issues involved in the sport as long as it is kept on a high plane. Perhaps my own example is typical of the Kentucky atti-,t«de. I go to the races about five times a year, enjoy the Governor Wetherby Speaks on Turf Topics Cites Accord Between Industry and State Thoroughbreds Major Tourist Attraction Explains Status of A Kentucky Colonel racing as a sport, and have a wonderful time. I consider myself an average racegoer. As Governor, I have come to realize that the industry, among other things, is one of our greatest tourist assets. Five years ago, the tourist business in Kentucky amounted to 00,000,000 a year. Last year, it was 93,000,000. I have no way of knowing just how great a part the thoroughbred has played in this increase, but I do know that we receive many inquiries from visitors as to How do we go about seeing the Kentucky thoroughbred farms? And, on my trips outside the state, usually the first question Im asked is something about the Derby. That interest in the Derby continues to grow from year to year may easily be shown by the ever-increasing number of requests from the governors of five states for Derby Day accommodations. The Derby, along with the farms, is one of Kentuckys greatest assets. AAA "You have asked me about the Kentucky Colonels, and I will explain that this honor is a gesture of good will and appreciation from the State of Kentucky to its, friends. The commissions are just as official and legal as the appointment say of a circuit judge. They are so recorded by the State of Kentucky. The only difference between a colonel and a judge is that the former is not assigned official duties. The colonels throughout America are friends of Kentucky, and we in Kentucky have been proud to confer the distinction. Among the colonels there is an organization known as the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels, which has no dues, but which devotes a great deal of its effort and considerable money to welfare and charitable work. All commissioned automatically are extended membership in the colonels organization, but whether they become active or not is up to the individual. AAA "In past years, we feel that Kentucky was a bit remiss in its full obligation as host to our distinguished guests for Derby Week, and in our classification of distinguished guests, we include the newspapermen who have helped make the Derby the great race it i and who have kept the nations public informed as to its colorful and historic nature. This year, the Louisville Chamber of Commerce has arranged a full week of Derby activity, and, as you may have noticed, I myself am holding two governors Derby breakfasts this week instead of one. Because the journalists are busy on Derby morning, I scheduled my first breakfast, which I believe will become a Kentucky tradition, on Thursday morning at the Governors Mansion. At the other breakfast, the guest list is limited to a cross section of Kentucky officialdom and personal prerogative of the governor. As governor, how-two breakfasts only because of space limitations at the mansion. AAA "You also ask me about my philosophy of the appointment of racing commissioners, and it is a fair question. In Kentucky, the commission appointments are a personal Derogative of the governor. As governor, however, I do have a direct responsibility to every citizen in the State of Kentucky and to the principles of good government. Therefore, my selections for the racing commission were based upon men of standing and integrity, and upon whom I, and the State of Kentucky, could rely upon to keep racing on a high plane. As long as men Continued on Peat Thirty-Six I BETWEEN RACES I By OSCAR OTIS f Continued from Page Sixty-Four of this standing and who have a knowledge of racing and its particular problems serve as commissioners, I believe that racing has nothing to fear. AAA "To return to the taxation subject, I am fully aware that any industry can be taxed to the point of diminishing returns, and this we all wish to avoid. We have seen this taxation to the point of diminishing returns work out rather clearly before our eyes in another Kentucky asset-industry. Racing as an industry has nothing to fear from fair taxation, but like any other industry, could be faced with serious problems from over-taxation. But racing is not peculiar unto itself in this respect. Unfair and unwise taxation can be ruinous to most any line of endeavor." Personally summing up what Governor Wethery told us, we believe the most significant part of his interview was the item that as long as racing is kept on a high plane and emphasis placed upon it as a sport, no moral issues are involved, except perhaps by a very few. We also were impressed with his views on taxation, and while Kentucky has taken a rather sensible attitude toward the matter, some other states obviously have not. We will comment further on this subject in a later column. We also were struck with the obvious pride in which Kentuck-ians hold the Derby running, and also the appeal of the thoroughbred farms, concentrated in Fayette and Bourbon counties, as a tourist attraction, and from the figures cited by the governor, it is obvious that it is finding more and more favor in the nation as a state to see and enjoy. It has been a busy week for Governor Wetherby, too, for in addition to his official duties, the breakfasts, and meeting the visiting dignitaries, he will be at the annual Colonels Dinner at the Kentucky Hotel tonight. And at the Old Kentucky barbecue at Col. Anna Friedmans The Forest, Anchorage, on Sunday.
